Indoor Opossum Damage

• Opossums are not quiet animals, so the most obvious sign that they are living under the house or in your attic will be related to noise. You may hear lots of rustling and scratching if they are building a nest. You may also hear shrieks, hisses, and even clicking noises, which are common in mother opossums with babies. 
• Another sign is the presence of an entry point to your attic or underneath your house. Attic entry points are typically on the roof, though opossums can enter through the gutters as well. For opossums underneath a house, you may notice broken siding which indicates opossums have made their way through and into the space underneath your home.
• Odor is another common sign for opossums living in the attic or underneath a home. Urine, feces, and dead opossums will all contribute to a powerful negative stench.

Opossums can cause some significant damage to your home, no matter where they end up living.  They can:

• Damage your insulation, pipes, and anything that happens to be underneath your house. They may damage siding by busting through it, clawing it, or even chewing on it; they can also rip or destroy hoses or anything that is stored partially underneath your home. 
• Cause significant damage to electrical wires in addition to damaging interior components of your home such as air ducts, vents, and even flooring. If they make a nest in your attic, they may tear up the insulation or even your walls in order to get material for their nests.
• Damage any area they live in with their feces and urine. Opossum feces is particularly unpleasant because it is large and difficult to remove, especially if there are multiple animals living in one space. If an opossum dies in your attic or underneath the house, the smell can be pervasive, and the rotting carcass may pose a health hazard.